The Valproate Scandal in New Zealand involves the long-term, systemic failure of the state to adequately inform women of childbearing age about the severe risks of taking the medication sodium valproate during pregnancy. The failure led to thousands of babies being exposed to the drug in utero, resulting in Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder (FVSD).  This includes serious birth defects; about 10% of exposed children are born with physical malformations such as spina bifida, cleft palate, and heart or limb defects. The neurodevelopmental problems affect 40% of children exposed and include autism, ADHD, developmental delays, lower IQ, and poor speech. It is estimated that 1,200 people have been affected by FVSD in New Zealand since it was licensed; however, many remain undiagnosed due to people not knowing about the condition or the cause. 

Sodium valproate, sold under the brand name Epilim, is an effective medication for treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder. However, those in the  Government, Ministry of Health were aware that anti-convulsant medication could cause birth defects and they knew that sodium valproate was also teratogenic to foetuses as early as the 1970s and yet failed to act to prevent harm. This negligence has an impact to individuals and whanau that they could not comprehend. Their denial of evidence and failure to act to ensure women were advised fully of the risks, denied the right to give informed consent and needlessly harmed babies. There are 5 known deaths that the state is responsible for.

While the Accident Compensation Corporation  (ACC) has accepted treatment injury claims for some affected individuals (57 as of April 2025), including my son, and provides compensation and support services, they are a difficult and frustrating department to work with and case managers and team leaders are ignorant having little to no comprehension of the condition or the effort that goes into trying to nurture and grow a semblance of independence and ensure the wellbeing of those with FVSD. It is an ongoing and hard fight for support. While there is gratitude for what ACC provide they need to do better than what they do and stop the violations and discrimination.

ACC is a law unto itself and adopts a “policy” that flagrantly disregards Human Rights laws and discriminates against the affected individuals and family carers, which only rubs salt in the wound after rights have already been violated. The workers adopt the values and ethos, and violate your rights and expect you to shut up and take it. The audacity! It is a disgusting way of operating which the governments allow, as ACC is their second largest source of income behind the IRD. 

Along the timeline in the gallery are examples of lists of research and studies on the effects of sodium valproate exposure, key communications and alerts to government agencies and regulators, and images of those who held key positions in the government and failed to act to facilitate change to protect babies. Much of the work in the exhibition is a response to dealing with ACC and how it compounds on the harm to my son, the trauma around that and the continual violations of rights and being treated as lesser.